One Shots: Interior decoration

You can go after a game's mechanics, a game's sound, and even a game's grammar, but when you go after a game's looks, well, then you're treading on One Shots territory. And when that happens, you'd best tread lightly, my friends.

Reader John took umbrage with Matt's take on Vanguard, especially in regard to its art design, and sent in proof to rebut it: "Having started a new character in Vanguard over the weekend, I set out to prove that, just perhaps, Vanguard isn't quite as ugly as Matt Daniel seems to think. It would be a shame if people got the wrong impression, after all."

Personally, I adore Vanguard's aesthetic, but not everyone shares that opinion, nor should he -- to each his own, right? Hit the jump to see John's screenshot in its full glory as well as many other terrific player-submitted pictures!

What is it with Force-users that always makes them go bonkers and power-mad? Wouldn't they be a lot more happy mowing the lawn with a lightsaber and going tailgating with some friends instead?

Reader Matthew succumbs to a moment of temptation in Star Wars: The Old Republic: "Here is my Jedi Shadow tank, Kaidenn, after downing Darth Ikoral, last boss of a level 45 flashpoint. I have done this tons of times before, but today I got a pic of my character while sitting in his chair. If he could be thinking of anything, it would be 'unlimited power!'"

What about all of the folks who have a hankering for defying death itself and bringing back people from the great beyond? Reader Chris apparently has no problems doing this, despite all of the ethical briefings that he had to endure before being allowed to play a Necromancer.

"This is a shot of my Necromancer in Guild Wars 2 on top the vista puzzle near Snaketail Inlet in Ruins of Orr," Chris writes. "It's a beautiful yet desolate place. He is level 80 with 45% map completion, so still a long way to go and many sights yet to see!"

Sometimes you reach a spot that takes your breath away -- but hopefully not your ability to hit your Print Screen button. Apparently, that's what happened to Drgoonworriorlxl1 (his, her, or its legal birth name) in EverQuest II: "This is my character Blahl watching the sunset over Qeynos Castle in the distance."

Isn't it funny how we love to watch the sunset in game while the real world one is desperate for our audience? Maybe if someone would fiddle with the temperature controls on the outdoors, we would all be a lot more open to spending time out there. Just saying.

That's it for today. As always, tip your waiters and waitresses and author of this column. How could you possibly tip me? Not with your dirty money, no, but with your love and additional screenshots!

Want to be featured in a future edition of One Shots? Send your favorite MMO screenshots to oneshots@massively.com, and don't forget to include your name, the name of the game, and a description of the scene. Large, colorful, UI-free shots that tell a story and really show off the game make for the best images. Look ma, we brought back One Shots!